Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-05
THE GIRLS IN BLUE.
NOung Ladies Of the High school Or
gained into Military Companies.


THE GIRLS IN BLUE.
Young Ladies Of the High school Or.
ganized into Military Companies.
TIE RIGHTS OF THE FAIR SEX RECOGNIZED BY TIE
SCHOOL Boys-DRnIING TIE FEMALE BATTALION
THE QUESTION OF HAsTY, INSUFFICIENT BREAK
FAsTS AND FRAIL LUNcHEs
TO see the High School Blues in line would de-
ugn1 MISS susan B. Anthony, or any other person
VINO believes In the equality OF the sexes The
Hlgn school Blues are not blue stockings but Girls
In blue oiouSes and blue skirts sit has made the
greatest difference In the world with the Girls -
saio one OF the High School teachers TO STAR re-
porter. "They used to straggle along through the
Corridors In an irregular line, with careless and
sometimes siouching gait heads down and should
ers carried SO as to contract their chests. Now
you viii see them keeping step and marching
erect. It gives them a finer carriage and is OF
course OF beneflt TO them physically one who
happens into the High School building on
an afternoon when drill takes place
VIII before he reaches the door where the blues
aIe Gnlng, near the soldierly tread OF the march,
ing lines OF girls and the sharply ringing words OF
command In high soprano or me,odious contralto
soI several years the boys OF the High school have
oeen organized into battalion OF cadets regularly
uhilormed, armed and drilled to perfection. The
llii,afy ol1ll for the boys was found 10 he very
Suou Ining Tor them and OF benefit 10 the dsci-
pune OF the school. The girls had their cast henic
exercises, but while that good for their health
~ oiu not fully compensate them for being ex-
ciuoeu from the military exercises OF the boys
ORGANIZING THE BLUES.
SO this year, just after the holidays the High
Scnooi Blues were organized About the same
Time there was another small revolution In the
SCHOOL The debating society had always been re-
garued as an institution In which boys only could
nave an interest or right No High School boy
Dreamed OF admitting a girl any more than a
MEMBER OF Congress dreams OF admitting female
members. But early In January, one OF the girls
sppned Tor admission. The boys were surprised,
ouI they thought the matter over and asked
| themselves, why notP No convincing answer
could De made TO this question. The young lady
was admitted as member, and now the society
Is open 10 the girls as well as the boys
Inc di1l Tor girls has been established as part OF
scneme providing for the physical culture OF
young women. The gymnastice exercises, including
Tree gymnastics and exercises with wandS, dumb.
bells and chestweights Will not be discontinued
Inc blues, az present. at least, viii not carry
Principal Paul says that it 1t question SIN to
De Settled whether the Blues should be equipped
Win WOODEN guns or not. II Is evident that the
ooyS SUN nave notion that girls and guns make
very unnatural combination. In tine drill hall
where the cadets shining muskets are neatly ar
ranged IN RACKS against the wall, card Il sllS-
pended from the rack implorfng the young ladies'
TO please not touch the guns.
FOUR COMPANIES.
There nave been four companies OF the Blues or.
gained, and they are drilled as single companies
as battalion. One or the lady teachers. when
asked by STAR reporter why they did not have a
oaI.anon with mayor, confessed that It was
uouDtlul whether they could get a female major
Win voice strong enough to do the shouting re-
qulreQ or major. The officers OF the colnpanies
are seected from the young ladies OF the year
OF senior class while the ranks filled from the
ilrSt and second years Officers OF the cadets have
been acting drill masters and putt lag the officers
81 ,io ohe biues through special course OF instruc
tlon Some OF them can already take a company
Oh girls and put them through their facings and
ioot movements with promptness and precision
That would do credit 10 Old veterans There is lit
Tie distinction in dress between officers and pri-
Yates Some OF the officers wear cheyrons their
tlat they should join the Blues.
CONDITIONS OF ENLISTMENT
The notice or circular sent out by the assistant
principal announcing the proposed organization
OF the drill, stated: sit is proposed TO organize
drill similar TO that Of the boys emitting the use
OF the rifles. Companies viii be formed officeri by
trained members OF the upper classes and drills
viii take place subject 10 the following regula-
lions.
1. There shall be two drills each week, occurring
during the hour after school.
2. Any girl may become a member OF the drill
companies by agreeing 10 the requirements In re-
gard to uniform and making application In due
3. Members OF the companies, when present at
school, may be excused from drill only by written
permission from the assistant principal.
The uniforms proposed for prfvaJes consist OF
dark blue flannel Skirt and blouse: 81 nlilar suits
have been worn by members OF previous CLASSES
ana nave proved economical school suits as well
as useful dresses for outdoor sports in summer
vacations. The whole cost OF such a SUIT need not
exceed 3D."
Applications for membership must have certin-
cate from the parent 'that know OF no physical
ClSGualiiicatlons in the case OF my daughter and
the above application meets with nv approval !,
The four companies organized have about twenty
i've or thirty members each, care having been
taken 10 get the girls Ia each company rs hear the
same height as possible. The dresses are Uniform
in color, but not entirely In pattern, tho h the
general rule OF looSe-tting blouse ana skirt per-
hitting the utmost freedom OF movement Is OBJ
served Some OF the 'ISiues" wear sashes or trim
mings OF lighter blue While Others have red TRIM
Inlngs When the winter is over ii is proposed 10
Drill IN the school yard, and then the question as
to uniformity in bonnets OF hats Will rise up To
worry the Blues.
THE OFFICERS.
The officers OF the companies so far as the posi-
lions have been filled are as follows:
Company A, captain Miss Catlin; first lieuten-
ant, -: second lieutenant, Miss HeSsier: first
Van.
ant, Miss J. Gibson: second lieutenant, Miss
Weaver; first sergeant, Miss Woodward; second
sergeant, Miss Greene.
Company c, captain, Miss Burden; FIRST Meutsn-
ant, Miss Hobson: second lieutenant, Miss Shields;
first sergeant, Miss Barker; second sergeant, Miss
Watts.
Company D, captain, Miss Johnson; first lieu
tenant, Miss FURNACE; second lieutenant, Miss
Nond; first sergeant, Miss Withers; second SER
mains TO be filled In each company.
THE HEALTH OF SCHOOL GIRLS
Miss Dame, the assistant principal OF the school
speaking to STAR reporter OF the physical culture
OF girls, said that she had quietly Investigated In
number OF the habits OF the girls as TO their
meals, noting what they ate for breakfast IA they
took any breakfast at all, and what they brought
to school with them for lunch Miss Dame who
is graduate OF Boston university, is member OF
the Association OF Collegiate AluInnae which is
making an effort To promote the physical as well
as the general education or girls.
''The association during the FIRST years OF its ex.
fStence" said Mss Dame, investigated and tabu-
lated In statistical form facts ia relation to the
health OF colege-bred women The results were
published by the Massachusetts, bureau or Stats
tics in 1885, and showed conclusively that the ma
tority or college graduates were in good health
at the end OF the course at the beginning, thus
breaking down the oft-uSed argument that college
training Is TOO severe strain ply scally Tor girls
since 1883 the association has been investigating
the health OF girls In preparatory schools, With a
view 10 correcting many or the evils surrounding
girls In their preliminary work, such as improper
loOd, insufficient sleep, tight and heavy clothing,
lack OF exercise. etc.,, and SO sending them ID col
lege with better physical equipment at the out
SET. There Is inucn room for reform here, and the
women who know from experience what demands
college LIE makes upon health and strength are
surely the best fitted TO inaugurate a movement
which aims 70 better the physical condition OF our
girls"
DIET AND SCHOOL LIFE.
Miss Dame recently presented paper to the as